Skamma Gym in Narre Warren goes up in flames in suspicious blaze

A gym with a violent history has been attacked for the second time this year, with fire ripping through the martial arts training centre in Melbourne’s southeast overnight.

A notorious gym in Melbourne’s southeast has been attacked for the second time this year, with a suspicious blaze tearing through the building overnight.

Skamma Gym in Narre Warren, which promotes itself as a mixed martial arts training centre, was damaged as a result of the late night blaze on Tuesday.

Footage shows the entire gym engulfed in flames as fire crews arrived to assess the scene.

Flames can be seen spreading across the gym’s floor.

It is the second attack on Skamma Gym this year, after arsonists attempted to torch it in May.

That blaze caused minor damage inside the gym.

In Tuesday night’s incident, firefighters were originally called to reports of a car fire on Vesper Drive just before 11.30pm.

Crews arrived at the scene to find the gym alight with multiple teams from Fire Rescue Victoria and the CFA able to contain the blaze.

Skamma Gym Narre Warren goes up in flames

The scene was under control just before 1am.

Glass panelling in the front facade of the building was left shattered and most of the interior had been completely destroyed by the blaze.

Investigators were seen inspecting a burnt out van in the back of the gym.

It is believed the car was driven into the side of the building and set alight.

The owner of a signage business behind Skamma Gym, Nelson Pollard, said he had been woken early to reports of the fire, rushing down to the inferno to check the extent of the damage done to his business.

“There’s been a lot of smoke and soot damage inside,” Mr Pollard said.

“A lot of water damage from the firemen and a lot of damage trying to get in (the gym) … obviously to try and save the place, which is great.”

He said Wednesday morning’s incident came weeks after another attempt to burn down the gym.

“It was a small fire, someone broke a window and through a gas bottle inside,” he said.

“It didn’t do a lot of damage inside … little bit of smoke damage then, not as much as there is now.”

Firefighters had the blaze under control just before 1am. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Nursing a cigarette and standing among colleagues at the scene, Mr Pollard said Wednesday morning’s attack wasn’t a surprise.

“I’m too tired for emotions at the moment … if you’ve got a business next to a gym you kind of expect it these days,” he said.

Residents nearby took to social media to report smelling smoke and hearing sirens overnight in the wake of the fire.

Victoria Police said the fire was under investigation and a crime scene had been established.

“At this stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious,” a police spokeswoman said.

“A crime scene guard is in place, and an arson chemist will attend the scene later today.”

Skamma Gym has been the site of violent attacks in the past.

In 2015, gunmen opened fire on its owner, former kickboxer and security industry insider Clay Auimatagi, outside the gym.

Mr Auimatagi was shot in the leg before he collapsed, but survived the ambush.

There were suspicions that the shooting was connected to a brawl with bouncers outside a CBD nightclub at the time that involved a Comanchero and one of his associates.

This week’s blaze is the latest in a string of arsons targeting gyms across Melbourne’s southeast.

Nitro Gym, once owned by former Comancheros president Mick Murray, was torched on June 13.

Mr Auimatagi and Mr Murray were once close associates.

Last year, the Fighters XPress gym in Dandenong went up in flames.

It was revealed that one of its personal training staff had close links with Sydney-based former Comanchero kingpin Tarek Zahed.

Anyone with information on the fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.